At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate temporary accommodation services to support vulnerable residents.
- Company: Westminster City Council, dedicated to building a fairer city.
- Benefits: Flexible working patterns, commitment to diversity, and supportive environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to engage with diverse communities and drive meaningful change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of those facing homelessness.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in housing or homelessness prevention with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
As Head of Service for Temporary Accommodation, you will make a powerful contribution to Westminster City Council’s vision of building a fairer city. You will oversee emergency and longer‑term temporary accommodation arrangements, ensuring placements are compliant, safe, suitable and delivered with dignity.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership over both emergency and longer‑term temporary accommodation services.
- Ensure placement compliance, safety and suitability while maintaining dignity for residents.
- Drive data‑led decision‑making to improve forecasting, value for money and sustainable response.
- Collaborate with Heads of Service, finance, supply teams and external providers in a political environment.
- Promote high performance, innovation and flexible delivery to prevent homelessness and improve housing outcomes.
- Engage with government agencies, community organisations and residents, responding to issues with empathy and clear reasoning.
Qualifications & Experience
- Senior strategic experience in local authority, government office or voluntary sector focused on housing need or homelessness prevention.
- Proven track record of delivering and improving temporary accommodation or related services.
- Experience managing diverse, multi‑disciplinary teams and leading complex change initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of local government, policy, legislation and advocacy relating to homelessness.
- Financial management experience, including budget and resources planning for sustainability and growth.
- Familiarity with performance metrics, analytics and data‑driven decision‑making.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Westminster City Council is committed to achieving diverse shortlists and will use the positive action provisions of the Equality Act 2010 to appoint a candidate from a global majority background where a choice exists. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds.
Care Leavers
Care leavers seeking their first job and who wish to be considered under our scheme will automatically be invited to interview if they meet the essential criteria for the role.
Benefits & Working Patterns
Our staff benefit from a range of flexible working patterns and Agile working arrangements.
Head of Service - Temporary Accommodation WCC624176 in London employer: CityWest Homes
Westminster City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a fairer city through its commitment to social justice and community welfare. As the Head of Service for Temporary Accommodation, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that values innovation, collaboration, and employee growth, with flexible working arrangements that promote work-life balance. Join us in making a meaningful impact on housing outcomes while enjoying opportunities for professional development in a dynamic local government environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Temporary Accommodation WCC624176 in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Westminster City Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research the council's recent initiatives on temporary accommodation and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you're not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a mate to do a mock interview with you. Focus on articulating your strategic leadership skills and how you've driven change in past roles. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service - Temporary Accommodation WCC624176 in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of Service role. Highlight your strategic leadership experience and how it aligns with our vision at Westminster City Council.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us about your proven track record in managing temporary accommodation services. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to drive data-led decision-making and improve housing outcomes.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and skills, especially in a political environment where clarity is key.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this important role in making a fairer city.
How to prepare for a job interview at CityWest Homes
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of temporary accommodation services. Brush up on local government policies, legislation, and any recent changes in homelessness prevention strategies. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also committed to making a real impact.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your strategic leadership experience. Think about times when you’ve successfully managed diverse teams or led complex change initiatives. Be ready to discuss how you foster high performance and innovation in your previous roles.
✨Data is Your Friend
Since the role involves data-led decision-making, come prepared with insights on how you’ve used analytics to drive improvements in service delivery. Share specific metrics or outcomes that demonstrate your ability to forecast needs and ensure value for money.
✨Empathy Matters
This position requires engaging with various stakeholders, including residents and community organisations. Prepare to discuss how you’ve approached sensitive issues with empathy and clear reasoning in the past. This will show that you understand the human side of the role and are committed to delivering services with dignity.
